I use an old Philips PM3226 scope. 15MHz max.
I do recommend a dual trace scope, it helps a lot when debugging and is fun in XY mode. An old analog scope is good enough for modular building, digital one might be handy with slow signals and debugging digital circuits.
Probes... I use the 10x probes as those have a larger impedance. Get good quality probes, thats more worth it then spending on an expensive scope._________________Weblog!

Part of your constraints are going to be space, as well as cost. If you have the space, my recommendation would be to go with one of the myriad old scopes you can find for reasonable prices on ebay. I don't have a specific recommendation there because I couldn't go that way.

I don't have the space. Next constraint was budget. If I had a big budget i would have gotten one of these: http://bitscope.com/ ... they do require you to hook them up to a computer for use.

The one I got was on EBay and is a different color, so I expect (in retrospect) that it's a clone/fake. However, it works as advertised. I have two complaints about it, neither of which is terribly major.

First, there is a capacitance issue on the inputs, so while the original was spec'd at being able to go up to 72MHz, really, it's limited to audio ranges. That doesn't sound like it would be a problem for you, and mostly it hasn't been a problem for me (I have done some recent work troubleshooting an old Roland S-10 where I got aliasing issues looking at clocks, but that's not my primary use case).

Second, it fills the entire buffer at whatever resolution you've chosen, before it goes again. This is a minor problem when doing one-shot triggered samples with large time scales (e.g. 500ms or 1s per division) because you have to wait a long while for it to complete, even if you've got the detail you wanted in the first screen. Save settings, power cycle, and it's done. There might be a way within the tool to set it up differently as well, I have not tried especially hard to find a different solution.

Years ago I worked with a test equipment company and these were just coming out. 60mhz bandwidth should be good for what you're doing. And the price now at under $200 is really good. If I was in the market for a scope I wouldn't hesitate on one of these. Tek has more sophisticated versions to be sure...2245 for example. But they will cost more, especially if you need to get something fixed like an alpha display chip, etc (the chips used to go out on these and were pretty pricey back then. They were used to display text info on the scope display)

There are some newer computer based systems as well that you might like. Another option is the Fluke Scopemeters. I have a model 97. 50mhz bandwidth, multimeter built in and can measure frequency too. They typically are more expensive then a straight scope for obvious reasons. The 97 was one of the first in its series, they've had quite a few models since then. Here's a link to a nice package:

I'd say that for modular synth work, almost any scope would do fine.
You really just need something that will give you a good idea of the shape of the wave.
I was lucky enough to be given an old Hitachi dual trace, which is a beautiful piece of antique tech, let alone a very functional scope.
It's bandwidth? I don't even remember. For audio frequency work, it just needs to be above 20khz doesn't it? I don't think you'll find one that low!

Keep in mind, that I'm not really in a position to buy a new anything. So I probably have way lower expectations when it comes to this kind of stuff._________________What makes a space ours, is what we put there, and what we do there.

Years ago I worked with a test equipment company and these were just coming out. 60mhz bandwidth should be good for what you're doing. And the price now at under $200 is really good. If I was in the market for a scope I wouldn't hesitate on one of these....

Seconded. I have a 2215, and it has performed flawlessly for the ca. 20 years I've had it.

Believe it or not i get by doing without any scope at all. I picture the waveforms and listen to them and it helps me get by. When I need to view a waveform, I run it into Audacity and look at it there. I know that's not a reasonable alternative for most folks but it works for me. I do plan to get one of those super small breadboard oscilloscopes for my new business though because I need to ensure quality control for customers.

I got one of those tektronix ones for £75, I think it's the 2205, works very well :)previously I was just using some old random scope and a bunch of different valve scopes which were all over 50 years old and cost £15 or less.

I can't believe you don't use a scope Les You are like some kind of electronics Jedi, sensing the electro-motive force with your mind _________________As a mad scientist I am ruled by the dictum of science: "I could be wrong about this but lets find out"

Beware of buying scopes on ebay, most of them have a malfunction or two. The older analog scopes have many components that are no longer available. Even if you're lucky to get a repairable one, the repair bill won't be cheap.

Do not under any circumstances purchase a used scope that uses vacuum tubes. These are a repair nightmare and they use a special solder.

If you want a used 100% working scope then find a reseller that sells reconditioned scopes. You get what you pay for.

Do not under any circumstances purchase a used scope that uses vacuum tubes. These are a repair nightmare and they use a special solder.

Don't dissmiss the valve scopes untill you're in a pinch wherein you need a scope and there's one for sale for a fiver down the old TV repair shop True story, I used it just the other day to test an output stage on the synth I made. It warmed the room up nicely

The Real MC wrote:

If you want a used 100% working scope then find a reseller that sells reconditioned scopes. You get what you pay for.

I can agree with all but the last thing you said there; For precise measurements, one needs to get a decent modern one, but you can allways find a good bargain._________________As a mad scientist I am ruled by the dictum of science: "I could be wrong about this but lets find out"

I like your thrift, JingleJoe! DIY is as much about scrounging and dumpster diving as it is about high end fancy stuff, every one of us operates at a different budget level. Personally, I love the low end myself.

I'm saving up for a rigol ds1052e. $350 new on ebay. I started working on waveshapers and rectifiers without a scope and its a very slow process with sending steady DC voltages and taking measurements.

I'm actually leaning towards getting a picoscope 2204 now. they are about $270. it would be cheaper and I can do lots of datalogging, custom apps, have a big screen and post screen captures and videos to forums or youtube.

In my business projects (Electronics and PLCs for chemical and physical plants) our engineers use Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscopes mostly. They are sitting in Munich and are know for one of the world's most important experts for measurements. They purchased the former HAMEG some time ago, so you can get cheap Hameg Equipment with R&S Knowledge know.

I personally recommend the DSO 2024 or one of it's brothers. They are worth every cent.

I recently found these 25mhz Owon scopes that should be fine for audio rates. I talked to someone that owns one and they say the tft screen is better and bigger than the rigol. so now I'm thinking of getting this.

I recently found these 25mhz Owon scopes that should be fine for audio rates. I talked to someone that owns one and they say the tft screen is better and bigger than the rigol. so now I'm thinking of getting this.

I am also planning to buy a scope, been comparing the Owon and Rigol ones ... the screens on the Owons have a higher resolution. Will probably buy an Owon SDS7102V, even though it is probably already too much for audio.

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forumYou cannot attach files in this forumYou can download files in this forum

Please support our site. If you click through and buy from our affiliate partners, we earn a small commission.